TfL has reminded Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (Fors) members that their accreditation could be in jeopardy if they do not immediately tell it of any offences they commit.
Following the Metropolitan Police Service’s Operation Safeway, anecdotal evidence suggests there has been a marked increase in the number of PG9s issued to operators by Vosa and the police.
One bronze Fors member contacted MT after its re-accreditation was placed in doubt when it received four PG9s. Three were for load restraint and the other was for an intermittent fault on the nearside repeater.
The firm was told its accreditation could be at risk by assessor, despite the operator meeting the required criteria, as he believed TfL had indicated that PG9s were no longer compatible with membership in the scheme.
However, a TfL spokesman said this was not the case and suggested the issue was not the PG9s themselves, but the fact that scheme members must report all breaches to TfL within five working days (something the operator in question conceded they had not been aware of).
“Operators who do not inform Fors of these offences risk affecting the outcome of their annual reassessment to the Fors scheme,” said the TfL spokesman. “To notify Fors of any offences, you just need to call 0844 809 0944 or email fors@tfl.gov.uk.”
The operator that contacted MT has since been re-accredited as a bronze member and is working towards silver status.
Membership of the scheme itself continues to grow at pace, with 2,146 active registrations to Fors compared with 1,333 last year.
There are now 1,456 companies, running 145,378 vehicles collectively, with bronze accreditation or higher. 19 companies hold the gold Fors accreditation, the highest level available as part of the scheme.
Palletways recently joined FORS and J Murphy became a gold standard member of the scheme, which encourages operational excellence, and addresses issues such as cycle safety.
Fors as of 6 January 2014
- Total accredited organisations (bronze or above) 1,456 (145,378 vehicles)
- Bronze companies 1,394 (125,985 vehicles)
- Silver companies 43 (8,439 vehicles)
- Gold companies 19 (10,954 vehicles)
- Active registrations yet to be accredited 2,146 (80,742 vehicles)
